Ice Skate Guard with Integrated Wheel and Brake System

ABSTRACT

An ice skate guard with an integrated wheel and brake system. The present invention with integrated wheel and brake system protects an ice skate blade by holding the blade inside the groove. Wheels on the ice skate guard with integrated wheels and brakes system allow the user to move freely on land. The brake system of the system allows users to lock the wheels when walking up a flight of stairs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an ice skate blade guard with wheels. It is the object of the present invention to provide ice skaters with a blade guard comprising of wheels that allow easy mobility off the ice as well as a wheel locking mechanism to prevent rolling for normal walking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional ice skate guards are a simple piece of polymer which allows the user to insert the blade of the ice skate in. To move around off of the ice, the ice skaters are forced to walk awkwardly due to balancing their bodies on the blades of their ice skates. The speed of the ice skater's movements off the ice is also restricted due the balance needed for walking on the blades. The present invention overcomes such a problem by attaching wheels to the skate guard. This will allow the ice skater to roller skate off the ice. Additionally, the present invention includes wheel lock brakes that allow users to walk up and down a flight of stairs without rolling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention showing the plan upon which a sectional view is taken and shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the present invention showing the plane upon which a sectional view is taken and shown in FIG. 5. The diagram exposes and shows the mechanisms for the at least one clamp and the wheel system.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the present invention showing the plane upon which a sectional view is taken and shown in FIG. 7. The diagram exposes and shows the mechanisms for the at least one clamp.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the present invention without the wheel systems intact showing the plane upon which a section view is taken and shown in FIG. 9. The diagram shows the components and mechanisms involved with the brake lock system.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the present invention without the wheel systems intact showing the plane upon which a section view is taken and shown in FIG. 11. The diagram shows the components and mechanisms involved with the brake lock system.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Ice skating is popular recreational activity. Ice skates are best used on ice and the present invention allows users to use their ice skates on dry land as well.

In references to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the Roller Guard comprises of a main body 1, a top groove 10, a barrier 2, a bottom groove 30, a rubber brake 80, and a water draining system 90. The top groove 10 is located at the top of the main body 1. The bottom groove 30 is located on the bottom side of the main body 1. The bottom groove 30 is an open cavity on the bottom side of the main body 1. The barrier 2 is positioned between the top groove 10 and the bottom groove 30. The barrier 2 is a portion of the main body 1, separating the top groove 10 and the bottom groove 30 acting as a surface to hold the blade of an ice skate. The rubber brake 80 is positioned on the bottom side of the main body 1 close to the rear. The location of the brake allows the user to simply lower their heel to lower the brake to contact the ground. The contact between the brake and the ground will create friction which will allow the user to slow down when rolling on the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 8, the top groove 10 comprises of at least one clamp 12 and a blade slot 11. The blade slot 11 is an open cavity along the top of the main body 1. This blade slot 11 is where the user can insert the blades of their ice skate. The main body 1 is made of materials that are capable of withstanding the weight of the user. These materials can be high strength plastics, metal, or a combination of both. The at least one clamp 12 is located on the inside surface of the blades slot 11. The at least one clamp 12 comprises of a left cavity 13 and a right cavity 14. These cavities serve to hold the components of the at least one clamp 12 for the blades of the ice skate. The left cavity 13 comprises of a left spring 131, a left ball 132, and a left opening 133. The right cavity 14 comprises of a right spring 141, a right ball 142, and a right opening 143. The components of the left cavity 13 correspond to the components of the right cavity 14 to create a clamping system for holding and securing the present invention onto the blade of an ice skate. The left cavity 13 is positioned facing the right cavity 14 on the left surface of the blade slot 11. The right cavity 14 is positioned facing the left cavity 13 on the right surface of the blade slot 11. This positioning allows for the left ball 132 and the right ball 142 to be pushed against each other by the left spring 131 and right spring 141, respectively. With the left ball 132 and the right ball 142 being pushed together by the left spring 131 and the right spring 141, the at least one clamp 12 is formed. The balls can be made of metals, plastics, or other suitable materials that is able to withstand wear and tear of frequent insertion and extracting of an ice skate from the present invention. The springs of the clamping system provide enough force to hold the present invention onto a blade of skate as the users lifts their skate off the ground. For detachment of the present invention off of a blade, more force is required to be applied by the user to pull the guard off. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention will comprise of three clamps to evenly distribute the weight of the guard to stably hole onto the blade of an ice skate.

In references to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the left cavity 13 and the right cavity 14 of the at least one clamp 12 make use of the sizes of the left opening 133 and the right opening 143 to contain the ball and spring mechanisms. The left spring 131 and the left ball 132 are placed inside the left cavity 13. The left opening 133 exposes and allows the left ball 132 to protrude from the left cavity 13. The diameter of the left opening 133 is smaller than that of the left ball 132. This prevents the left spring 131 from pushing the left ball 132 out of the left cavity 13. The right spring 141 and the right ball 142 are placed inside the right cavity 14. The right opening 143 exposes and allows the right ball 142 to protrude from the right cavity 14. The diameter of the right opening 143 is smaller than that of the right ball 142. This prevents the right spring 141 from pushing the right ball 142 out of the right cavity 14. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention will comprise of a clamp in the front, the middle and the back of the blade slot 11. With the front, middle, and back clamp, the weight of the present invention is distributed along the entire blade of the user's ice skates to be securely fastened on.

In reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 10, and FIG. 12, the bottom groove 30 comprises of a plurality of a wheel system 31 and a brake lock system 50. The wheel system 31 comprises a plurality of wheels 32, a plurality of axles 33, a plurality of left side nuts 34, and a plurality of right side nuts 35. The brake lock system 50 comprises of a front brake lock switch 51, a rear brake release switch 52, a left brake controller rack 53, a plurality of left wheel toothed brakes 55, a plurality of right wheel toothed brakes 56, a plurality of left controller pinions 57, a plurality of left pinion axles 58, a plurality of right controller pinions 59, a plurality of right pinion axles 60, a plurality of left brake tracks 61, and a plurality of right brake tracks 62. The plurality of wheels 32 is secured to the bottom groove 30 by threading the plurality of axles 33 through the main body 1 and the plurality of wheels 32. The plurality of left side nuts 34 and the plurality of right side nuts 35 are then used to secure the axle of the plurality of wheels 32 to the bottom groove 30. The plurality of axles 33 comprises of a left wheel lock and a right wheel lock. The brake lock system 50 allows the users to lock the wheels in place to prevent rolling. This is useful as users utilizing the present invention are walking up a flight of stairs and do not want the wheels to roll and cause a potential accident. The left brake controller rack 53 is a toothed rod positioned along the length of the upper left surface of the bottom groove 30. The right brake controller rack 54 is a toothed rod positioned along the length of the upper right surface of the bottom groove 30. The front brake lock switch 51 is positioned on the front side of the main body 1 and protrudes out. The rear brake release switch 52 is positioned on the rear side of the main body 1 and protrudes out. The front brake lock switch 51 is connected to the left brake controller rack 53 and the right brake controller rack 54. The rear brake release switch 52 is connected to the left brake controller rack 53 and the right brake controller rack 54 opposite to the front brake lock switch 51. The front brake lock switch 51 and the rear brake release switch 52 serve to hold the left brake controller rack 53 and the right brake controller in place. The plurality of left controller pinions 57 is fixed to the left surface of bottom groove 30 below the left brake controller rack 53 by the plurality of left pinion axles 58. The plurality of left controller pinions 57 being interlocked with the left brake controller rack 53 and being able to pivot about the plurality of left pinion axles 58. The plurality of left wheel toothed brakes 55 is interlocked with the plurality of left controller pinions 57 and fixed within the plurality of left brake tracks 61. The plurality of left brake tracks 61 is a channel that is vertically positioned on the left surface of the bottom groove 30. The plurality of right controller pinions 59 is fixed to the right surface of bottom groove 30 below the right brake controller rack 54 by the plurality of right pinion axles 60. The plurality of right controller pinions 59 being interlocked with the right brake controller rack 54 and being able to pivot about the plurality of right pinion axles 60. The plurality of right wheel toothed brakes 56 is interlocked with the plurality of right controller pinions 59 and fixed within the plurality of right brake tracks 62. The plurality of right brake tracks 62 is a channel that is vertically positioned on the right surface of the bottom groove 30. When a user pushes the front brake lock switch 51 in, the push force will transfer to the left brake controller rack 53 and the right brake controller rack 54 for a motion towards the rear. The backwards direction of the motion of the left brake controller rack 53 and the right brake controller rack 54 will then pivot the plurality of left controller pinions 57 and the plurality of right controller pinions 59. The pivoting motion of the left controller pinions and the plurality of right controller pinions 59 will transfer to the downward vertical motion of the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes 55 and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes 56 along the plurality of left brake tracks 61 and the plurality of right brake tracks 62, respectively. The plurality of left wheel toothed brakes 55 and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes 56 will then engage the left wheel lock and the right wheel lock, causing the plurality of wheels 32 to lock and unable to rotate. To release the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes 55 and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes 56 from the left wheel lock and the right wheel lock, the user just needs to press the rear brake release switch 52. The rear brake release switch 52 will cause the brake lock system 50 to lift the plurality of the left wheel toothed brakes and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes 56 from the left wheel lock and the right wheel lock, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention will comprise of a brake for every wheel.

In reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the left brake controller rack 53 and the right brake controller rack 54 requires a device to prevent it from sliding freely into unlocked or locked position. The front brake lock switch 51 comprises of at least one front switch snap indentation 511 and at least one front switch snap 512. The rear brake release switch 52 comprises of at least one rear switch snap indentation 521 and at least one rear switch snap 522. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one front switch snap 512 and the at least one rear switch snap 522 is a ball bearing lock. The at least one front switch snap 512 will snap into the at least one front switch snap indentation 511 when the front brake lock switch 51 is pressed in to activate the brake lock system 50. The at least one rear switch snap 522 will snap into the at least one front switch snap indentation 521 when the rear brake release switch 52 is pressed in to release the brake lock system 50. The snap system for both the front brake lock switch and the rear brake release switch ensure that the brake lock system remains in the position that the user intended for. The snap system also prevents the left brake controller rack 53 and right brake controller rack 54 from moving forwards or backwards while the user is skating on the present invention. Free movement of the brake movement can result in locking or releasing the wheels during skating. Any free movement of the brake lock system 50 can lead to accidents causing the user to suddenly stop during rolling or rolling when walking up a flight of stairs. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear brake release switch 52 will comprise of two rear switch snap indentations 521 and two rear switch snaps 522, where as the front brake lock switch 51 will comprise of only one front switch snap indentation 511 and one front switch snap 512 to keep the main body of the present invention more compact.

In reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 10, and FIG. 12, the water draining system 90 is a plurality of holes positioned on the main body 1 and the barrier 2. The water draining system 90 comprises of at least one angled barrier drain hole 91 and at least one vent hole 92. The at least one angled barrier drain hole 91 is a hole positioned on the barrier 2. These holes have angled edges to facilitate the draining of water from the blade slot 11. The water will drain from the hole leading down to the bottom groove 30 and down to the ground. The at least one vent hole 92 is positioned on the sides of the main body 1 leading into the blade slot 11. The at least one vent hole 92 will allow air to flow into the blade slot 11 as the user is skating with the present invention. As ice skaters skate on ice, the blades of their skates tend to get and remain wet. When using the present invention, the water draining system 90 will serve to prevent water from collecting in the blade slot 11. Collection of water in the blade slot 11 can be damaging to the blades of the skates by accelerating rusting.

The blade slot 11 is where the user's ice-skate's blades will fit. With cavity openings being smaller than the diameter of the balls, the balls cannot fall out. A pair of springs and balls work together to prevent the invention from falling off the blade. To insert the blade, the user lines the skate blade with the top groove 10 and pushes the blade into the groove. The skate blade acts as a wedge and forces the balls aside. Once the blade is all the way inside, the clamps close around the space above the blade. The springs should provide enough force so that gravity will not pull the invention off the user's ice skates when they lift their feet off the ground. To detach the present invention off the user's skate blades, the user will need to provide enough force to separate the clamping system.

The main body 1 can be manufactured with the plastic materials or other suitable lightweight material that can withstand the stress caused onto it by the user's weight. The springs and balls will be made out of metal. The wheel will be made out of a rubber, and the axle will be made out of a metal. The washer and the bolt will be made out of metal.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A Roller Ice Skate Guard comprises, a main body; a barrier a top groove a bottom groove; a rubber brake; a water draining system; the blade slot being a cavity along the top of the main body; the barrier being positioned between the top groove and the bottom groove; the top groove comprises of a blade slot and at least one clamp; the at least one clamp comprises of a left cavity and a right cavity; and, the rubber brake being positioned on the rear bottom of the main body.
 2. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the left cavity comprises of a left spring, a left ball, and a left opening; the right cavity comprises of a right spring, a right ball, and a right opening; the left spring and the left ball being positioned inside the left cavity; the left opening being a smaller diameter than the left ball; the left opening containing the left spring and the left ball inside the left the right spring and the right ball being positioned inside the right cavity; and the right opening being a smaller diameter than the right ball.
 3. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the bottom groove comprises of a wheel system and a brake lock system; the wheel system comprises of a plurality of wheels, a plurality of axles, plurality of left side nuts, and a plurality of right side nuts; and the brake lock system comprises a front brake lock switch, a rear brake release switch, a left brake controller rack, a right brake controller rack, a plurality of left wheel toothed brakes, a plurality of right wheel toothed brakes, a plurality of left controller pinions, a plurality of left pinion axles, a plurality of right controller pinions, a plurality of right controller pinions, a plurality of right pinion axles, a plurality of left brake tracks, and a plurality of right brake.
 4. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the water draining system comprises of at least one angled barrier drain hole and at least one vent hole.
 5. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 3 comprises, the plurality of wheels being secured to the main body by the plurality of axles; the plurality of wheels being connected to the plurality of axles; the plurality of axles being stabilized to the main body by the plurality of left side nuts and the plurality of right side nuts; and the plurality of axles comprises of a left wheel lock and a right wheel lock.
 6. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 4 comprises, the at least one angled barrier hole being positioned on the barrier; and the at least one vent hole being positioned on the main body.
 7. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 5 comprises, the front brake lock switch being positioned on the front side of the main body; the rear brake release switch being positioned on the rear side of the main body; the left brake controller rack being positioned on the left side of the bottom groove; the right brake controller rack being positioned on the right side of the bottom groove; the left brake controller rack being connected to the front brake lock switch; the right brake controller rack being connected to the front brake lock switch; the left brake controller rack being connected to the rear brake release switch; the right brake controller rack being connected to the rear brake release switch; the plurality of left brake controller pinions being secured to the main body within the bottom groove by the plurality of left pinion axles; the plurality of the left controller pinions being interlocked with the left brake controller rack; the plurality of right brake controller pinions being secured to the main body within the bottom groove by the plurality of right pinion axles; the plurality of the right controller pinions being interlocked with the right brake controller rack; the plurality of left brake tracks being a channel positioned vertically on the left surface of the bottom groove; the plurality of right brake tracks being a channel positioned vertically on the right surface of the bottom groove; the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes being interlocked with the plurality of left controller pinions; the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes being interlocked with the plurality of right controller pinions; the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes being positioned within the plurality of left brake tracks; and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes being positioned within the plurality of right brake tracks.
 8. A Roller Ice Skate Guard comprises, a main body; a barrier a top groove a bottom groove; a rubber brake; a water draining system; the blade slot being a cavity along the top of the main body; the barrier being positioned between the top groove and the bottom groove; the top groove comprises of a blade slot and at least one clamp; the at least one clamp comprises of a left cavity and a right cavity; the rubber brake being positioned on the rear bottom of the main body; the bottom groove comprises of a wheel system and a brake lock system; the wheel system comprises of a plurality of wheels, a plurality of axles, plurality of left side nuts, and a plurality of right side nuts; and the brake lock system comprises a front brake lock switch, a rear brake release switch, a left brake controller rack, a right brake controller rack, a plurality of left wheel toothed brakes, a plurality of right wheel toothed brakes, a plurality of left controller pinions, a plurality of left pinion axles, a plurality of right controller pinions, a plurality of right controller pinions, a plurality of right pinion axles, a plurality of left brake tracks, and a plurality of right brake.
 9. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 8 comprises, the left cavity comprises of a left spring, a left ball, and a left opening; the right cavity comprises of a right spring, a right ball, and a right opening; the left spring and the left ball being positioned inside the left cavity; the left opening being a smaller diameter than the left ball; the left opening containing the left spring and the left ball inside the left the right spring and the right ball being positioned inside the right cavity; and the right opening being a smaller diameter than the right ball.
 10. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 8 comprises, the plurality of wheels being secured to the main body by the plurality of axles; the plurality of wheels being connected to the plurality of axles; the plurality of axles being stabilized to the main body by the plurality of left side nuts and the plurality of right side nuts; and the plurality of axles comprises of a left wheel lock and a right wheel lock.
 11. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 8 comprises, the water draining system comprises of at least one angled barrier drain hole and at least one vent hole.
 12. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the front brake lock switch being positioned on the front side of the main body; the rear brake release switch being positioned on the rear side of the main body; the left brake controller rack being positioned on the left side of the bottom groove; the right brake controller rack being positioned on the right side of the bottom groove; the left brake controller rack being connected to the front brake lock switch; the right brake controller rack being connected to the front brake lock switch; the left brake controller rack being connected to the rear brake release switch; and the right brake controller rack being connected to the rear brake release switch.
 13. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 11 comprises, the at least one angled barrier hole being positioned on the barrier; and the at least one vent hole being positioned on the main body.
 14. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 12 comprises, the plurality of left brake controller pinions being secured to the main body within the bottom groove by the plurality of left pinion axles; the plurality of the left controller pinions being interlocked with the left brake controller rack; the plurality of right brake controller pinions being secured to the main body within the bottom groove by the plurality of right pinion axles; the plurality of the right controller pinions being interlocked with the right brake controller rack; the plurality of left brake tracks being a channel positioned vertically on the left surface of the bottom groove; the plurality of right brake tracks being a channel positioned vertically on the right surface of the bottom groove; the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes being interlocked with the plurality of left controller pinions; the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes being interlocked with the plurality of right controller pinions; the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes being positioned within the plurality of left brake tracks; and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes being positioned within the plurality of right brake tracks.
 15. A Roller Ice Skate Guard comprises, a main body; a barrier a top groove a bottom groove; a rubber brake; a water draining system; the blade slot being a cavity along the top of the main body; the barrier being positioned between the top groove and the bottom groove; the top groove comprises of a blade slot and at least one clamp; the at least one clamp comprises of a left cavity and a right cavity; the rubber brake being positioned on the rear bottom of the main body; the bottom groove comprises of a wheel system and a brake lock system; the wheel system comprises of a plurality of wheels, a plurality of axles, plurality of left side nuts, and a plurality of right side nuts; the brake lock system comprises a front brake lock switch, a rear brake release switch, a left brake controller rack, a right brake controller rack, a plurality of left wheel toothed brakes, a plurality of right wheel toothed brakes, a plurality of left controller pinions, a plurality of left pinion axles, a plurality of right controller pinions, a plurality of right controller pinions, a plurality of right pinion axles, a plurality of left brake tracks, and a plurality of right brake; the plurality of wheels being secured to the main body by the plurality of axles; the plurality of wheels being connected to the plurality of axles; the plurality of axles being stabilized to the main body by the plurality of left side nuts and the plurality of right side nuts; and the plurality of axles comprises of a left wheel lock and a right wheel lock.
 16. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 15 comprises, the left cavity comprises of a left spring, a left ball, and a left opening; the right cavity comprises of a right spring, a right ball, and a right opening; the left spring and the left ball being positioned inside the left cavity; the left opening being a smaller diameter than the left ball; the left opening containing the left spring and the left ball inside the left the right spring and the right ball being positioned inside the right cavity; and the right opening being a smaller diameter than the right ball.
 17. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 15 comprises, the water draining system comprises of at least one angled barrier drain hole and at least one vent hole.
 18. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 15 comprises, the front brake lock switch being positioned on the front side of the main body; the rear brake release switch being positioned on the rear side of the main body; the left brake controller rack being positioned on the left side of the bottom groove; the right brake controller rack being positioned on the right side of the bottom groove; the left brake controller rack being connected to the front brake lock switch; the right brake controller rack being connected to the front brake lock switch; the left brake controller rack being connected to the rear brake release switch; and the right brake controller rack being connected to the rear brake release switch.
 19. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 17 comprises, the at least one angled barrier hole being positioned on the barrier; and the at least one vent hole being positioned on the main body.
 20. The Roller Ice Skate Guard as claimed in claim 18 comprises, the plurality of left brake controller pinions being secured to the main body within the bottom groove by the plurality of left pinion axles; the plurality of the left controller pinions being interlocked with the left brake controller rack; the plurality of right brake controller pinions being secured to the main body within the bottom groove by the plurality of right pinion axles; the plurality of the right controller pinions being interlocked with the right brake controller rack; the plurality of left brake tracks being a channel positioned vertically on the left surface of the bottom groove; the plurality of right brake tracks being a channel positioned vertically on the right surface of the bottom groove; the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes being interlocked with the plurality of left controller pinions; the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes being interlocked with the plurality of right controller pinions; the plurality of left wheel toothed brakes being positioned within the plurality of left brake tracks; and the plurality of right wheel toothed brakes being positioned within the plurality of right brake tracks. 